Eight percent of mothers admitted they had reused a disposable diaper or left wet diapers on their children longer than they should have to “stretch” their diaper supply.

“A lot of us have kids in diapers now or recently, so we understand how horrible a situation like that would be,” said Breuer.

Breuer is editor and owner of RocketCityMom.com, a local website for Tennessee Valley parents. When one of her RCM writers shared the article about the study with her, several other RCM writers got involved and wanted to do something for local moms.

“We saw the article and all identified – not necessarily that we’ve been in need, but all of us, every time we buy diapers, think it’s so expensive,” said Breuer. “And we realize it’s so much harder for people who are really struggling.”

Breuer, RCM co-editor Stephenie Walker, and their writers came up with the idea for The Great Diaper Drive, a month-long push to gather donations of disposable diapers that will be given to the Manna House, a local charity that provides food and other necessities to needy families in the Tennessee Valley. Diapers and wipes are a constant need that Manna House struggles to fill.

Packages of diapers – even opened packages – can be dropped off at several participating local retailers. The list can be found here.

“When we started, we thought this would be a smaller RCM thing, but everybody we asked for help said yes immediately,” said Breuer. “That’s when we got the idea it could be bigger.”

This Sunday, the community is invited to The Great Diaper Shower at 2 p.m. at KidVenture in Madison. Admission is just one pack of diapers per child. Kids can play on the KidVenture play equipment and enjoy refreshments, live entertainment, facepainting, a balloon artist, and a variety of family-friendly door prizes from local retailers.

“However you feel about helping people who are less well off than you – nobody can say that a baby deserves to sit in a dirty diaper,” said Breuer. “That’s when we said we need to do something about this, and we can.”

Those who don’t have time to purchase diapers but want to help can make a tax-deductible donation online to Manna House. A donation of $25 will buy about 200 diapers.

“Even if you’re not a parent, everybody cares about babies,” said Breuer. “I feel very much part of this community of parents and people who are all after one thing, which is to raise kids in the Tennessee Valley and recognize that helping other kids helps you, too. This feels good.”